NATIONAL: Myer has moved to scotch rumours that the appointment of fashion industry veteran Howard McDonald will result in radical changes to its apparel and footwear departments – at least in the foreseeable future.
The news may disappoint some Myer fashion suppliers, who told Ragtrader they believed McDonald’s expertise would significantly affect the fashion side of the business.
McDonald, who was named the brand’s non-executive chairman earlier this month, refused to discuss his plans for the business but admitted he would be in a better position to comment once the dust had settled on his appointment.
McDonald’s colleague Judy Coomber, Myer’s director of fashion and accessories, said she did not foresee any immediate changes to the fashion department. Rather, she predicted a continuation of the work she and McDonald had done in the past few years to expand the retailer’s brand offering, exclusive collections and marketing image.
“We have worked closely on the direction of Myer in terms of brands and credibility in fashion,” Coomber told Ragtrader. “[McDonald] has great experience when it comes to brand knowledge and brand architecture.”
McDonald brings to the role solid mileage in the fashion industry, including nine years as managing director of The Just Group, which includes retail brands Just Jeans, Portmans, Peter Alexander, Jacqui E, Dotti and Jay Jays, during which time he oversaw the listing of the group on the Australian Securities Exchange. Prior to this he held a number of roles within the Pacific Dunlop Group across apparel, footwear, textiles and corporate sectors.
Since 2006 McDonald has been a director of and consultant to the Myer Group, working alongside CEO Bernie Brookes and former chairman Bill Wavish. McDonald’s increased status coincides with Myer’s proposal to move the business from a private to a public company, perhaps before the end of the year.
News of McDonald’s appointment has been met with enthusiasm among Myer fashion suppliers, who view his experience as an advantage for the fashion direction of the retailer.
Cue executive director Justin Levis has a long-standing relationship with Myer, with the womenswear brand stocked in all Myer stores nationally. Levis said McDonald’s reputation in the industry was strong owing to his success at The Just Group. He said he hoped McDonald would help Myer continue to “up the ante” on fashion.
Cambridge Clothing general manager for sales, Nash Rees, whose company has supplied Myer with labels Dom Bagnato and Pierre Cardin for more than 16 years, also felt McDonald’s reach could help influence Myer’s fashion department.
“We find it very exciting to have a senior appointment given to someone with such a strong fashion background,” he said. “We believe Howard’s appointment will add further strength to the fashion direction that Myer has been undertaking.”
Similarly, Feathers founder Margaret Porritt, whose Melbourne-based womenswear label is stocked in five Myer stores, said McDonald’s appointment would be great for Myer fashion. She argued his “enormous success” at the helm of The Just Group and his understanding of fashion retail and product would work in Myer’s favour. “To have a long-standing fashion merchant in there is fantastic,” she said.
McDonald stepped out in his new role to greet press and guests at the department store’s spring/summer 2009/10 parade in Sydney last week.
His influence may add fresh fuel to the rivalry between Myer and David Jones, with each pushing to be the leader in the fashion stakes. David Jones declined to comment on the appointment.